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Sir Peter Lampl: 'I'm so disappointed in Labour's regressive position on VAT on school fees'
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Independent sector
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In an article for The Telegraph, Sir Peter Lampl has criticised Labour's VAT on fees policy. Sir Peter, founder of the Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation, attended Reigate Grammar School - the same school as Sir Keir Starmer. He explains how both benefited from financial support from Surrey County Council, which enabled them to attend the school when it later became independent. Arguing that the "misguided" tax policy risks denying pupils the same educational opportunities the prime minister received, Sir Peter writes: "[Sir Keir] should want more children from low- and middle-income homes to have access to independent school facilities, not fewer." He adds that Labour will not achieve its goal of levelling up education for state pupils by "taxing, squeezing and diminishing a sector that supports so many opportunities for neighbouring state schools". Sir Peter concludes that Labour should instead find ways to share independent schools' resources and facilities, "making efforts to open them up to a wider demographic through bold funding strategies". By Poppy Wood. Sir Peter Lampl's article can be read in full over halfway down the page.
In a letter to The Telegraph, Martin Ward from Shropshire agrees with Sir Peter's assertion that imposing VAT on independent school fees is "entirely counterproductive". Rather than penalising independent school parents by taxing fees, Mr Ward suggests that independent schools should be supported to "help their public sector neighbours drive change". The letter appears a quarter of the way down the page.
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House of Commons debate: Finance Bill and EHCPs
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Political
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During a debate on the Finance Bill in the House of Commons, Conservative MP James Wild warned that the VAT on fees policy "will hit people who have chosen to prioritise providing for their children’s education in the place that they consider best suits their child’s needs". He added: "The Conservatives are for 100 per cent of children, and we back parents’ freedom to choose; the Labour party is adopting a self-defeating ideological approach to our education system, including academies, that seeks to divide. The education tax will hit 100,000 children with special needs who are in independent schools but without education, health and care plans (EHCP). We have already seen children withdrawn from schools and schools closing as a result." Continuing, Mr Wild called for any impact resulting from changes to the bill to be "closely monitored". Hansard.
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Ofsted reveals new report cards for school inspections
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Inspection
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New report cards for school inspections have been unveiled by Ofsted, prompting warnings from some education leaders that they risk "replicating the worst aspects of the current system". Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said the report cards, which will be introduced in the autumn, would help parents to better distinguish between schools across areas such as attendance, inclusion, behaviour and leadership. But school leaders' unions said the new system would add "enormous pressure" to schools, and could "worsen an already severe recruitment and retention crisis" in teaching. By Judith Burns and Nathan Standley, BBC News.
Schools Week explains how Ofsted's proposed new inspection model and school report cards will work, featuring an example of what a new report card inspection will look like. A Q&A with Sir Martyn, focusing on changes to the inspection framework, is also included. In response to the question of how the inspectorate's plans are likely to be viewed by colleagues in the education sector, he replies: "I hope that they’ll say this is fairer, this is more proportionate, and at the same time, gives parents the information that they want." Both articles are by John Dickens.
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'Mollycoddling' has turned Gen Z into an anxious generation, says head
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Mental health
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Gareth Parker-Jones, head of Rugby School, has suggested that a “culture of safetyism” and “mollycoddling” have turned Gen Z into an anxious generation. Writing in the British Education Magazine, Mr Parker-Jones said overly protective upbringings have “exaggerated” real-life risks, adding that schools can provide a solution to modern issues like smartphone addiction by banning mobiles in classrooms and promoting face-to-face interactions, while offering opportunities for students to engage in unregulated social time and extracurricular activities. Describing what is taking place at his own school, Mr Parker-jones explained: "Students are learning about collaboration, managing their reactions, forging real-time friendships, discovering what they are good at and what they like doing – without other-world distraction." The article is accompanied by an item titled 'How to build resilience in your child', with advice on fostering positive communication and helping children vocalise how they are feeling. By Janet Eastham, The Telegraph.
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Debating in schools: 'Teachers need to be comfortable playing devil’s advocate'
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General education
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Writing in Tes, Michael Hepburn from South Hampstead High School GDST outlines the importance of debating in education, and shares some techniques that help pupils form opinions and build confidence. Mr Hepburn argues that regular, varied debates help students develop critical thinking, challenge media echo chambers, and articulate both sides of an argument, all of which "will enhance their thinking, understanding and writing". Michael Hepburn is the director of Debate Hub, a partnership programme run by South Hampstead High School GDST in London.
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A pioneering focus on mental health and wellbeing at Slindon College
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ISC blog
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In a blog marking the start of Children's Mental Health Week 2025, Adam Sharpe, assistant headteacher, DSL and mental fitness lead at Slindon College, describes the innovative ways in which the school supports the emotional wellbeing of its pupils.
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The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.
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Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.
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